Notes From All Over -- Not a Bakken Story

Do not worry; this posting will disappear soon but I make some notes for archival purposes. I will get back to the Bakken shortly.

Hybrid autos: consumer purchases of hybrids are headed for their third consecutive decline. The current administration has bought one-fourth of the Ford and GM hybrid vehicles sold since the current president took office, accelerating federal purchases as consumer demand wanes. Global sales are projected to be 2.2% of all passenger vehicles sold worldwide. Bloomberg News, November 24, 2010.

Cost of green energy: Rocky Mountain Power seeks rate increase of 17 percent. This comes on recent rate increases of 5.1 percent this past July (2010) and a 1.9 percent in February 2011. The new rate increase, if granted, would become effective September 22, 2011. Wind energy, new transmission lines associated with those wind projects, and additional environmental controls account for part of the reason for the increase.

Winter Has Arrived: huge winter storms from the Pacific Coast and across the Midwest. Portland, Oregon, had snow yesterday; the last time Portland saw snow on that date was seven years ago. I don't know the final number but if Portland did not get above freezing (I don't know if it did) that would have set a record that held for 25 years. Now we see a huge winter storm moving across the Rockies and into North Dakota.

Winter Has Arrived: freezing temps in southern California poses worries for farmers and homeless.

Winter Has Arrived: According to CNBC weatherman, this is the coldest Thanksgiving he can remember. The whole western half of the US is experiencing record cold.